By Zephyria 
I don’t know why I’ve been so tired lately. I just want to lie down, and once I do, I fall asleep without even realizing it. The problem is that it’s not exactly because I’m sleepy. Hyun-wook has been distant and Han Hee-sung is quiet; I tried calling Hee-sung, but his phone remained turned off. Not that I’m in a position to ask around.
I wanted to know how Seo-joo was doing and why my grandfather had been so silent, but my network was thinner than I thought, and there was no one to look into it for me. Han-bin hyung had also entered joint US-Korea military exercises recently and was far too busy with that to be contacted.
“How can I have so few people around me? I’ve really wasted my life.”
Before I grew close to Joo Min-hyeok, I had stayed cooped up in the Imperial Pavilion, holding my breath just to survive. And this is the result. I don’t know anyone… But these days, it’s a bit awkward to go outside. Because of what happened back then, I’m constantly on the tongues of the people in the palace.
Joo Min-hyeok’s midnight frenzy had been filtered through rumors as a romantic tale of pure devotion, a search for the Grand Imperial Concubine who was absent from his bed in the dead of night. What? The Emperor, who only cares about work, had such a romantic side? In a way, it was the kind of material that could spark such rumors.
However, anyone who saw Joo Min-hyeok smashing the house to pieces wouldn’t say that. Or would they? Seeing how the kids who witnessed it firsthand were also in an uproar. Since when did an Alpha’s pure heart become so violent? Well, whatever, we made up and it’s fine, but for that reason, I haven’t been leaving the Imperial Pavilion lately.
It’s so noisy with the repairs to the rooms Joo Min-hyeok destroyed that I want to go out, but the moment I do, people’s eyes sparkle as they look at me, which is frustrating enough to kill me. I was slumped on the sofa, my eyes beginning to flutter shut again, when I felt a warm touch and heard a pleasant voice above my head.
“Trying to sleep again? I don’t know why you’ve been sleeping so much lately.”
Joo Min-hyeok, who had entered quietly at some point, was crouching in front of me, stroking my hair. What is this? Seeing that huge frame of his like that… it’s actually kind of cute. Ahem. I opened my half-closed eyes and gave him a smile.
“Did you come because it’s your break?”
“Yeah. I came to see your face and because I had something to say. You’re not sick, are you?”
“Of course not. I was just idling around and being a bit lazy.”
“Good. Why bother getting up when you’re tired?”
It was impossible not to laugh at those words. I chuckled and stood up groggily with Joo Min-hyeok’s help. As I leaned against his shoulder for a moment to clear my head and wake up, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Since when did this kind of behavior become so natural? Is it okay for a person to be this simple?
Until not too long ago, I had intended to connect Joo Min-hyeok with the Movie Palace and then slip away, but now I don’t even think about that. I wonder if it’s okay for a life plan to change this drastically. Then I guess I have to redraw my plans? Or should I just live as my heart leads me? While I was lost in these various thoughts, Joo Min-hyeok’s large hand gripped mine tightly. He said he came because he had something to say, and I wondered what it was.
“I think I’ll be in the US for a few days. But this isn’t an official schedule.”
The Emperor is leaving his post for several days for unofficial business? Surprised by his words, I quickly pulled my head away from his shoulder.
“Why? Why are you going to the US if it’s not an official schedule? Then what about here?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’m organizing everything before I go. In my heart, I want to take you with me… Actually, the Queen Mother isn’t feeling very well. That’s why I’m going.”
“The Queen Mother?”
I couldn’t help but be surprised by the news, which was the first I’d heard of it. Because she is so young and beautiful, I hadn’t even considered health issues. I hadn’t given it any thought at all.
“What’s wrong? Is it serious enough that she has to go all the way to the US?”
Our country isn’t bad when it comes to medicine, so I wondered what was wrong that required a trip to the US. Moreover, if the Emperor is personally escorting her, it’s certain that she’s not doing very well.
“It’s not a major problem, but if she’s treated here, there are too many eyes watching, and rumors will spread. The Queen Mother said she’d prefer to do it that way.”
That was a fair point. It’s obvious that the press wouldn’t stay quiet if they found out the Queen Mother was ill. They would blow things out of proportion, write articles, and disturb people’s minds with provocative words. Since she’s not a commoner, there’s no way the news would leak if they set their minds to it, but it must have been a decision made after considering various problems.
“Then when? When are you leaving?”
“The sooner the better, so I’ll be leaving early next week. So, don’t let it show and stay well even while I’m gone. Got it?”
“…I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not an official schedule, but it’s not something that needs to be kept a secret, so I’ll announce that I’m away on a personal schedule without giving detailed specifics. That’s much better than leaving without a word and creating gossip.”
True. If he hid it for no reason, people would whisper later asking what happened, and the Imperial Family would be criticized for spending exorbitant amounts of money on overseas treatment. Also, announcing the Emperor’s absence prevents other problems from arising.
“What I’m worried about is you being alone in the palace. Just in case, I’ll attach more security personnel, and I’ll send Kang Hyun-wook back this way. Or maybe I’ll call the Brigadier General for a few days…”
It’s common for Joo Min-hyeok to go on overseas tours for official schedules. Of course, the periods weren’t long, and since he’d been away more than a few times, it wasn’t actually something to make such a fuss about.
He’s probably acting this way because he’s anxious since it’s an unofficial move… but rather, such excessive behavior might draw more attention. People won’t care as long as things are no different from usual. And anyway, since he said he’d be away, security within the palace will be tightened.
“Please don’t do that. It’s not right for a soldier to leave their unit for personal matters. Since Your Majesty isn’t here, security will naturally become stricter. I’ll be fine.”
“Still, I can’t put my mind at ease. I’ll contact you often. So you contact me too.”
“Don’t worry about me and please take good care of the Queen Mother’s health.”
Nothing is going to happen just because Joo Min-hyeok is away from the palace for a few days. It reached a point where I had to be the one to soothe the strangely anxious Joo Min-hyeok. Hmm, so Joo Min-hyeok is leaving? Since the Queen Mother won’t be here either, I’ll be the highest-ranking person in the palace, so I need to keep my wits about me.
Actually, if the Emperor is absent, authority goes to the Prime Minister, who is at the level of a State Premier, but Joo Min-hyeok wouldn’t do that. He’ll have organized the system himself, and I just need to make sure nothing unusual happens inside the palace, right?
Joo Min-hyeok gave me a few points of caution and stayed with me for a while longer before leaving after receiving word that some acquaintances had arrived.
I felt it once again, but despite his young age, Joo Min-hyeok was different from his peers. His level of education and position are different from ordinary people, but even taking that into account, I felt he was truly remarkable for being so mature at the age of twenty-two.
Looking at other countries, Joo Min-hyeok is clearly much younger than the emperors or kings of other nations. Nevertheless, the way he discusses state affairs and looks after the country is flawlessly skillful and reliable. I could see the effort he put in, studying while barely getting any sleep.
“Palace Lord user. The Queen Mother has sent word for you to come to her quarters now.”
“Uh, what? The Queen Mother?”
What is it this time? It’s been a really long time since I’ve received a personal contact. She hadn’t called me since that relative gathering, so I jumped up from my seat, not knowing why she was suddenly calling me.
Is she perhaps going to tell me the things Joo Min-hyeok mentioned earlier? Anyway, since she called, I’ll go, but recalling her cold attitude, I felt intimidated again.
As soon as I arrived at the Queen Mother’s quarters, fully tense, I was greeted by a very unexpected person.
“Grand Imperial Concubine user! Welcome. Have you been well?”
This familiar voice… The person who tried to run toward me but was caught by his father was none other than Han Hee-sung. The Queen Mother, horrified by him preparing to pounce on me again, even spilled the tea she was drinking.
Han Hee-sung struggled to get closer to me, but he couldn’t move because his father had a firm grip on the scruff of his neck. He sent me an awkward smile and showed his respect. This whole sudden situation was a bit absurd. What happened? Why did the Queen Mother call me?
I watched their reactions and sat in the seat the Queen Mother guided me to, assessing the situation. Then, my eyes met Han Hee-sung’s as he tried to come toward me, and I unconsciously called him to my side. Seeing him brighten and smile broadly at my call looked okay.
Actually, I had been strangely worried. The image of him with blood dried on his hands and face wouldn’t leave my mind. We had parted without me being able to ask in detail how he got hurt, but no scars were visible, and his complexion looked quite good. It seems he’s been doing well.
“I missed you, user.”
It was an expression of emotion that felt almost too pure. With a face that showed he truly missed me, Han Hee-sung conveyed his sincerity, not caring who was around or where he was.